True or False: Raw bovine colostrum has been associated with foodborne disease outbreaks.

• A. Not applicable
• B. Not known
• C. False
• D. True

Answer: (D)

The essential idea is that unprocessed dairy products can carry harmful bacteria, and heat treatment is what reduces that risk. Raw bovine colostrum, like other unpasteurized dairy products, can harbor pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria if the cow is infected or contaminated. Because it isn’t pasteurized, any pathogens present may survive and be ingested, which can lead to foodborne illness and, in some cases, outbreaks. While colostrum is rich in antibodies, those antibodies don’t neutralize pathogens in the product once it’s consumed. Pasteurization or other approved processing steps dramatically reduce this risk, which is why the statement about raw colostrum being associated with outbreaks is true.